Mental health: Tele-MANAS receives over 23,000 calls across J&K in 9 months

Around 150 youngsters counselled through Chatbot so far: Officials

Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar, Aug 25 (KNO): The UT-level Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) cell, established at the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) Srinagar, is proving to be a boon for persons requiring assistance in stress, drug addiction, anxiety-related issues as it has received more than 23,000 calls since its inception in Jammu and Kashmir nine months ago.

The first-of-its-kind mental health helpline, launched on November 4, 2022, is a three-tier system that has mental health counselors, clinical psychologists and psychiatrists available for patients’ calls.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Dr Qazi Haroon, State Program Manager Mental Health J&K said that till date over 23,200 calls including those related to stress, drug addiction, suicidal tendencies and anxiety have been received.

Among these, around 600 were very distressing calls having suicidal tendencies who were counselled on time, he added.

“Tele-MANAS helped us to reach so extensively to common people in such a short period of time. In the near future, more and more people suffering from mental health will find refuge in it,” Dr Haroon said.

He said India’s first Tele-MANAS chatbot, designed to engage with people in distress, that was launched in Jammu & Kashmir last month has managed to provide assistance to around 150 youngsters so far.

“The Chatbot provides round-the-clock access to health counsellors, clinical psychologists, and consultants,” he added.

The doctor said that Chatbot encourages individuals to avail the benefits of this service from the comfort of their homes, addressing privacy concerns and promoting accessibility.

Meanwhile, officials said that due to stigma, people are not seeking psychiatric help. They, however, said that Tele-MANAS has reduced the stigma attached to mental health issues as callers don’t need to reveal their identities.

“Such facilities are being enhanced with an aim to reach to more and more people as around 11 percent of the adult population suffers from mental illness in J&K,” the officials said.

The toll-free number of Tele MANAS Cell J&K is 14416/1-800-891-4416 and for Tele MANAS Chatbot is 9797600601. The cell is open to the general public for providing mental health services and drug de-addiction services 24×7—(KNO)

CS holds deliberations with stakeholders to reduce travel time of HMVs on NH-44

Fruit trucks to be marked with special stickers for giving them unhindered access

Srinagar, Aug 25 (GNS): Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta today held detailed deliberations with all the stakeholders including the Highway authorities for finding ways and means to further reduce the travel time on Sgr-Jmu National Highway for the Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) ahead of the fruit season this year.

The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Home; Principal Secretary, PWD; Divisional Commissioner Jammu; ADGP Kashmir/Jammu; IG Traffic; RO NHAI; concerned Deputy Commissioners and others.

During the meeting, the traffic authorities presented empirical data regarding the actual movement of LMVs and HMVs on the highway and their driving patterns on this road. For the purpose of understanding the traffic between 70 Kms stretch of Navyug and Chenani-Nashri Tunnels for a period of 15 days was considered.

While making his observations regarding remedial measures for smooth flow of traffic on the road, the Chief Secretary said that HMVs lower than 3-axles should not be halted anywhere during its travel on the road. He asked for keeping an eye on chronically slow moving vehicles and enquire from each of them about the reasons behind the same. He also advised for penalizing those erratically moving vehicles under law causing inconvenience to others traveling on this road.

Dr Mehta impressed upon the concerned highway authorities along with the Deputy Commissioners to designate no halt zones in their respective jurisdictions and strictly adhere to same under all circumstances. He asked them to take measures for improvement of the road surface near the slide-prone stretches at Dalwas, Mehad, Cafeteria Morh and Sher-Bibi. He further instructed for designating the halting areas for trucks especially in the Ramban District where the widening of road is still in progress.

The Chief Secretary insisted on having better coordination between the traffic and District police. He told them to provide the best gear to the traffic personnel manning the traffic on these stretches where work is going on. He asked for putting extra men into service for effective monitoring and management of the traffic plying on the highway.

Regarding the movement of fruit trucks from valley the Chief Secretary stressed on taking onboard the Fruit Associations while devising the traffic plan. He asked for marking the fruit laden trucks with specially designed stickers for their identification and giving unhindered access to reach the Mandis outside. He directed the Deputy Commissioners of valley to establish District Control Rooms in their offices for giving real time updates to the fruit growers about the road and other issues.

While making his remarks the ACS, Home, RK Goyal stressed on finding out ground realities which are hindering the movement of HMVs in certain portions. He also told them to utilize the alternate assets like Mughal Road and Jawahar tunnel optimally to reduce congestion of traffic on NH-44. He also asked for enhancing the level of enforcement especially on the critical stretches of the road.

The Principal Secretary, PWD, Shailendra Kumar observed that efforts should be made by the concerned to reduce the gap between minimum and maximum time taken by the vehicles to cross the Chenani-Banihal stretch. He also advised for making vehicles to move continuously without any halts and use of lean window (between 1:00 am to 5:00 am) optimally by diverting most of the heavy vehicles to cross the 2-lane stretch during the underutilized time period.

In his presentation the IG Traffic, Bhim Sen Tuti highlighted the pattern of traffic on the highway through various studies and algorithms. He presented the day wise and seasonal behavior of traffic along with the analysis of time taken by each class and size of vehicle. He also dwelt upon the causal analysis of each aspect of this traffic behavior and put forth certain remedial measures also.

The meeting discussed about Passenger Car Unit (PCU) analysis of traffic on this road besides hourly and daily rush of traffic using google data of previous years also. The meeting also took note of the data of vehicles traversing the Navyug and Chenani-Nashri Tunnels besides examining speed of vehicles throughout their journey between them.

It was inferred that by taking measures like enhancing the time window for plying of heavy vehicles (above 4-axle) during night and letting the rest of the traffic to move continuously would greatly reduce their travel time. It was also enjoined that by dedicating the infrastructure projects like 2nd tubes of Kunfer tunnel, Chanderkot tunnel and Ramban flyover by the month of September would bring huge respite to all the travelers in the days to come.(GNS)

NHM J&K Releases Ranking of Public Health Facilities on Hospital Management Information System (JK e-Sahaj) for July Month

Srinagar, Aug 25 (GNS): National Health Mission J&K on Friday released ranking of Public Health facilities on Hospital Management Information System (JK e Sahaj) for the month of July 2023.

In the category of Associated Hospitals of Govt. Medical Colleges the first rank has been clinched by Jammu Psychiatric Disease Hospital, followed by Chest Disease Hospital Jammu, Govt. Lal Ded Hospital, Srinagar, GMC Rajouri and SMGS Hospital, Jammu. Bottom five in this category includes Govt. Dental College, Jammu, Srinagar Psychiatric Disease Hospital, Govt. Dental College, Srinagar, GMC Handwara and Jammu Super speciality Hospital.

In the category of District Hospitals first rank has been clinched by DH Budgam followed by DH Shopian, DH Samba, DH Ganderbal, DH Pulwama, DH JLNM, Srinagar. Bottom five in this category include MCCH Anantnag , DH Budgam, DH Bandipora, DH Kulgam and Govt Hospital, GandhiNagar, Jammu.

In the category of Community Health Centres (CHCs), first rank has been clinched by CHC Seer followed by CHC Sohanjana, CHC Kralgund , CHC Chowki Chowra and CHC Basholi. Bottom five in this category includes CHC Darhal, CHC Thanamandi, CHC Kalakote, CHC Taryath, & CHC Rohama.

JK e-sahaj (Electronic System for Automation of Hospital Administration J&K) inititive was formally launched on 4th November 2022 as part of Jashn-e-Sehat, by the Honourable Lt Governor, J&K for different types of facilities i.e. Tertiary care, District Hospitals, Community Health Centres, Primary Health Centres and some New Type PHCs. JK E -Sahaj has been integrated with Rapid Assessment System (RAS), 104 Centralised Health Helpline for outbound calling and RCH portal of MoHFW, Govt. of India.

Hospital Ranking has been assigned for different categories of facilities i.e. Associated Hospitals of Govt. Medical Colleges, District Hospitals and CHCs The ranking has been done on the basis of registration, conversion of EMR (Electronic Medical Record), registration of IPD patients and Patient feedback uploaded on the portal of JK e Sahaj for the month of July 2023, on real time basis. The detailed list of facilities is shared on NHM website. (GNS)